This spirit has guided Americans in their approach to work and life. I understand; my number one driver when assessing TTI is “urgency.” Statistically, I give it a higher value than 97% of the population.
However, a profound maxim originated in the Special Forces community: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” This phrase, while seemingly contradictory, contains a wealth of wisdom that can greatly improve productivity and efficiency in many disciplines.
In essence, the saying “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” emphasizes the importance of precision, consistency, and a controlled pace when completing tasks. Contrary to popular belief, the fastest path to success is not always rushing through tasks. It’s about maintaining a rhythm and flow in your work, which naturally leads to increased speed and efficiency. At Scaling Up, we call this cadence.
This principle has its origins in military and law enforcement circles, especially among special forces units like the Navy SEALs. It was originally developed as a training mantra for situations where speed and precision were critical. However, it has since expanded beyond that and found applications in a variety of fields, including business, sports, and even personal development.
Renowned cellist Pablo Casals once said in the music world, “I play the notes as they are written, but God makes the music.” The essence of his statement aligns with this philosophy: when musicians focus on playing each note smoothly and accurately, the result is a faster, more harmonious melody.
The Science
Scientific research supports the idea that “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” When we are in a hurry, our brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions like decision-making and problem-solving, is automatically activated. This stress response can lead to errors, decreased creativity, and even burnout.
On the other hand, when we slow down, we allow our brains to fully focus on the task at hand. This approach helps strengthen neural connections,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connections_(journal) making learning and skill acquisition easier. As skill increases, speed naturally increases. it a study at Stanford University, researchers found that students who were taught to understand concepts in depth, even if it meant learning more slowly at first, outperformed their peers in the long run.
In Business
In a business context, rushing a product to market can often lead to mistakes and missed details. However, by taking the time to thoroughly understand customer needs, fine-tune the product, and ensure a smooth manufacturing process, companies can deliver a superior product in less time. Apple develops products slowly rather than rushing new ideas to market, and it seems to have worked well for them. This approach applies to customer service, too: solving their problems effectively, even if it takes a little longer at first, leads to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
When I was a kid, I would help my dad in his construction company. I would often take measurements and quickly run to the saw to make cuts, hoping that my speed would impress my father. Usually, the cuts were insufficient; I wasted time and resources, which had the opposite effect of what my father had intended. He would say, “We liked it, so we cut it twice,” mocking my speed.
In Personal Development
Learning a new skill or habit requires patience and consistency. The initial stages may seem slow as we encounter new concepts and techniques, but as we gain confidence, our movements become more fluid and we begin to complete the task faster and more efficiently.
In the diagram above, we see the cause-and-effect relationship between our approach (slow or fast) and subsequent results. A slow approach leads to comprehensive understanding, smooth execution, and fast results. Conversely, a fast approach leads to shallow understanding, rough execution, and ineffective results.
In a society that often equates speed with success, adopting the philosophy of “slow is smooth and smooth is fast” may seem counterintuitive. However, it is clear that slowing down to ensure smooth execution can lead to greater speed and success in the long run.
Whether we are learning a new tool, launching a product, or resolving customer complaints, this principle offers a valuable framework for improving productivity and efficiency. By consciously slowing down we give ourselves space for deeper understanding, we move fluidly and ultimately we move faster.
Take nature as an example and remember that slow means smooth and smooth means very fast.
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